ARTICLES ABOUT SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY BY DATE - PAGE 3

They weren't kidding when they named the modular house just east of the main Museum of Science and Industry building the Smart Home. Not only does it incorporate a bevy of ecologically friendly features, it is now entering its fifth year as a special MSI exhibition, four years past the original plan. Nature teaches us that only the brightest organisms find ways to extend their life spans. The home's ability to earn a lasting place is partly due to its obeisance to the green movement, which is, at the moment, both fashionable and a scientific necessity.

Dan Meyer likens what is unfolding at the Museum of Science and Industry's Wanger Family Fab Lab to what happened with the personal computer a few years ago. "In the 1970s, we had computers on college campuses, and you had to sign up to use it. Thanks to the personal computer revolution, everyone has a computer," said Meyer, manager of the Fab Lab. "What we're having now is the personal manufacturing revolution, or the fabricated revolution....

SEEING AN UPTICK Family museums In the museum business, a little cold weather isn't necessarily a bad thing: Chicago's big cultural collections end up being a good way to get housebound kids out and about. But warmer than normal weather, it looks like, was an even better thing, with some institutions reporting big attendance spikes. "People may not be feeling the need to hibernate as much as usual," said Melissa McCarville, public relations manager for Shedd Aquarium.

Despite the so-so economy, attendance at Chicago's museums and zoos, held steady last year. Overall attendance at 14 area institutions was 14.4 million, virtually identical to the 2010 totals, according to the group Museums Work for Chicago. Some gained, some lost. Up were the Adler Planetarium (4 percent), Field Museum (5 percent), Museum of Science and Industry (6 percent), Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (6 percent), Shedd Aquarium (3 percent), Chicago Children's Museum (5 percent)

A restored steam engine roars through cliffs and valleys in "Rocky Mountain Express," the new IMAX documentary at the Museum of Science and Industry (through March 15) that traces the arduous process of building of the Canadian Pacific Railroad in the 1880s, when that nation was still sparsely populated and finding its footing. "Trains have been passion of mine," director Stephen Low said when we spoke last week. "I used to work for the Canadian Pacific Railroad a long time ago when I was in school--I was a brakeman, a trainman, carman, a switchman.

"There's Fun to Be Done! Dr. Seuss & the Art of Invention" is a treat on a par with green eggs and ham — or with allegorical protests against racism ("The Sneetches"), money- and power-grubbing ("Yertle the Turtle") and environmental neglect ("The Lorax") served up as eternally readable children's picture books. Taken in with the luxurious attention it deserves, all this Seussiana (totaling 7,000 square feet) has the potential to make your heart grow three sizes, or at least inspire you to charge back down the metaphorical mountain to return the metaphorical roast beast.

It is approaching midnight in the cavernous temple to science and tourism. The patrons of Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry have long since left the building, their minds, it is hoped, as stimulated as their legs are weary. Even the after-hours visitors are gone: The young couple who'll have their wedding here tomorrow. The paranormal investigators, brought in by staff, pre-Halloween, to "detect" "ghosts" on the museum's Pioneer Zephyr train and U-505 submarine. The Illinois science teachers concluding their annual meeting's big night out by drinking beer and wine in the giant central rotunda.

Have you ever heard of Himalayan in Niles? I haven't, but the Indian and Nepali spot could be Patrick Stump's favorite restaurant, accoring to the Fall Out Boy singer-turned-solo artist's new video for VEVO. In the nearly six and a half minute video, Stump and his Flock of Seagulls haircut take viewers on a tour of his favorite places in the Chicago area. The Glenview native and Glenbrook South High School alum visits Himalayan, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Neo-Futurists' theater in Andersonville and Reckless Records in what appears to be Boystown.

Not even the best real estate agent in the city could have found Kevin Byrne a home with a submarine, a coal mine and Dr. Seuss. Byrne's new digs have all that and more. The Chicago resident was chosen to spend 30 days living at the Museum of Science and Industry as the winner of Month at the Museum 2. The 33-year-old analyst at a digital marketing agency was chosen from nearly 1,000 applicants worldwide. He will leave his Uptown home Oct. 19 and roam the 14-acre museum until Nov. 17. The public can follow his stay via his blog at monthatthemuseum.org.

Not even the best real estate agent in the city could have found Kevin Byrne a home with a submarine, a coal mine and Dr. Seuss. Byrne's new digs have all that and more. The Chicagoan--who beat out competition from around the world--will be spending 30 days living at the Museum of Science and Industry as the winner of Month at the Museum 2. The 33-year-old who works as a marketing analyst at a digital agency and holds a degree in biology was chosen from nearly 1,000 applicants worldwide.